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WWE News
WWE News: Ross considered quitting today, surprised by draft, upset with developments (w/Keller Analysis) Jun 24, 2008 - 1:22:53 PM
Anyone wondering what Jim Ross thought of what happened last night won't have to wonder any longer. Ross wrote about being drafted to Smackdown in his blog today:
"As many of you know, I was 'drafted' to Smackdown Monday night in the 'random lottery.' Obviously that means I will be leaving Monday Night Raw and my long time partner Jerry Lawler. I am not happy about this surprise development. I also contemplated calling it a career Monday night and not going to Houston to tape SD.
"After speaking with my wife and thinking on this matter until 6 a.m. Tuesday morning, I have decided to do the right thing for the fans who care and the talent who care and begin my new assignment. It has been explained to me that the WWE’s Smackdown tenure on My Network is a high priority within the corporation. Allegedly, my presence is needed in that effort.
"Many are speculating about when I learned of this development…the same time those of you were watching at home. I should have detected something with the demeanor of certain individuals either thru their plastic, poker faces or the perceived smirk that I thought I might have seen on some of their faces during the day.
"As far as going to Connecticut each week to do Smackdown post production, that’s not going to happen. Either Mick Foley can handle it or the WWE can install a DSL line in my home to facilitate the work..."
Keller's Analysis: This was more honest and blunt than I expected. I would not have blamed Ross for retiring if he chose to. Given what Ross has done for WWE over the years, including heading up the most successful stretch they've ever head during the Monday Night War era as head of talent relations (juggling many egos, counseling many young rising stars, negotiating contracts), he deserved to be consulted on this matter. Once a month, Ross will have an extra travel day than he's used to, working Sunday's PPV and then Tuesday's taping. At this point in his career, with full financial security and another business he's involved in operating, every day counts, so that's not a positive.
As for going to Smackdown, this is a move that could work out fine in certain ways. Smackdown features longer matches and thus more opportunity for Ross to do what he does best - call matches. Working with Mick Foley provides a chance for Ross's commentary to have a fresh angle to it as there's no doubt the tone of announcing is set in part by whom you're playing off of. With Triple H, Mr. Kennedy, and Jeff Hardy moving to Smackdown, it's hardly going to feel like a B-brand. Having him move to Smackdown will bring loyal Raw viewers with him, and thus could help the ratings and help the company overall as they move to the MyTV Network this fall. Ross has a following and I am confident his mere presence on Smackdown, especially teamed with Foley, will cause people I know who currently skip Smackdown to begin watching it.
The fact that Ross has to deal with people smirking at him who knew of his fate has to hurt considering his tenure and role in that company over the years. That, more than anything, is probably what stings the most. The tradition of working Raw, the "A-show," being broken is a blow, but given what Raw has become with so little wrestling and such short matches, it's not the disappointment it might have been at one point to be switched.
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